A PENSIONER who was given the last rites when he fell ill during the Second World War will return to the battlefield where he fought for four months.

Bill Blewitt, of Bulmer Square, Darlington, is one of 43 veterans in the North-East to receive funding from the Big Lottery to visit the battlefields of the conflict.

During the war, Mr Blewitt was so ill with diphtheria in North Africa, that a telegram was sent home to his mother to inform her of his condition.

Mr Blewitt said: “In the hospital, we used to have a priest coming around the ward every night.

“He would stop and say good night to everyone, but then one night he came to my bed and said, ‘good-bye’.

“I didn’t think I was that bad.

I always joked, though, that the devil looks after his own.”

But the 88-year-old, then 23, battled back to health and begged to rejoin his company.

He was eventually reunited with his friends on the frontline in Anzio, on the west coast of Italy.

“They all said I was a silly bugger for coming back,” he said.

During the conflict, Mr Blewitt and his company unloaded supply ships in the bay, and transported the goods, food and ammunition back to the safety of Anzio town.

They used DUKW amphibious trucks, called ducks.

Anzio was in range of the German railway gun, known as Anzio Annie, and the trip between the buildings and the boats was fraught with danger.

“We were right in the line of fire,” said Mr Blewitt. “One of the lads was blown up in the car park.”

Mr Blewitt is making the trip to Italy thanks to a £1,425 grant from the Heroes Return 2 scheme. He and his son, Ron, will make the journey next month.

Despite the harrowing memories, Mr Blewitt said he was looking forward to going back.

“It’ll be a good trip,” he said.

“I’m hoping I’ll bump into some of the others.”

James Turner, of the Big Lottery Fund, said: “We are delighted to continue to support our veterans to help ensure that the lessons of the Second World War and the sacrifices made by the wartime generation are not forgotten.”

For more information about the Big Lottery Fund’s Heroes Return 2 scheme, call 0845-000-0121.